Electronic check-weighing and segregating apparatus



Sept. 18, 1951 w. .1. 'SCHH-:SER x-:TAL

ELECTRONIC CHECK-WEIGHING AND SEGREGATING APPARATUS Filed July 24, 1948 s sneyzs-sheez 1 me/www Tlfarr'en .135022 6.5671

Jahn 1? Kelley Sept 18, 1951 w. J. scHlEsER ET AL 2,568,255

ELECTRONIC CHECK-WEIGHING AND SEGREGATING APPARATUS Filed Jly 24, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wr/en J Saiz eser Jbhn I7 Ke Zley @www y W. J. SCHIESER ET AL ELECTRONIC CHECK-WEIGHING AND SEGREGATING APPARATUS Filed July 24, 1948 Sqn. 18, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Iubo Jahn /KeZZey /M 745%@ amo m2 )amm Mmmm ttovhel Patented Sept. 18, 195.1

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRONIC CHECK-WEIGHING AND SEGREGATING APPARATUS Warren J. Schieser and John F. Kelley, Columbus, Ohio, assignors to The Exact Weight Scale Company, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 24, 1948, Serial No. 40,544

6 Claims.

vor more movable gates for directing the weighed commodities into different channels or paths of discharge. In this apparatus, at least one of the conveyor sections forms a component part of a weighing mechanism and over which the articles being handled are individually passed without interruption in their movemgit, whereby variations in weight of the articles applied to said weighing mechanism produce proportionate variation in a pivotally movable member of the weighing mechanism, electro-responsive means being provided in association with said member to effect automatically changes in position of the diverter gate or gates, so that articles of a desired or predetermined weight will be caused to follow a "selected course of discharge from the apparatus,

while articles or commodities possessing weights other than those of said desired weight will follow one or more diiierent courses of discharge, thereby providing for the separation of under and over weight articles from those of desired weight.

Apparatus of the prior art for this purpose is Yobjectionable from the standpoint that the same lacks sensitivity in responding to minute weight variations in the articles or commodities being checked and further in the inability of such ap- 'paratus in providing for the continuous high speed `weight-checking operations in conformity with the needs of modern industries.

Among the objects of the invention, therefore, are to provide:

Automatic check-weighing and segregating apparatus in which continuous uninterrupted movement of the articles undergoing weighing is present; to provide apparatus of this character which Vis highly accurate and responsive to minute weight variations in the articles being handled in separating over or underweight articles from those of a desired or predetermined weight; to

Y provide in such apparatus a Weighing scale mechanism having a motor driven conveyor type receiver for the larticles to be weighed thereon, the receiver being so constructed as to support its conveyor and the motor means for driving the same; to provide an improved electro-responsive control actuated by the movable beam or lever of the weighing mechanism for controlling the operating positions of pivotally movable diverter gates employed in connection with the conveyor means for causing under and overweight articles to follow a different course of disch-arge from the ap'- paratus than those of desired weight; to provide means which may be used in check-weighing operations under conditions in which the atmosphere surrounding the apparatus contains dust or small particles of matter which may be deposited l.on the exposed surfaces of the apparatus; and to provide apparatus of a simple, positive and reliable construction which may be used for prolonged periods of operation without requiring undue manual attention, adjustments or repair.

For a further understanding of the invention, including -additional objects and advantages thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view taken through the improved check-weighing apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view disclos ing the conveyor means of the commodity receiver of the weighing mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits employed in the operation of the apparatus.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein has been illustrated a single exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the numeral ID designates a housing or cabinet in which.

the apparatus is placed or supported. The apparatus includes a weighing scale S which, in this instance, has been shown as of the even-balance type which we prefer to use because of its recognized accuracy and sensibility, although it is within the province of the invention to utilize other conventional types of weighing devices.

As illustrated, the scale embodies a base II from which arises stationary brackets I2 which effect, at their upper ends, trunnioned supports for a vertically oscillatory weighing beam or lever I3. Spaced equidistantly from its pivotal axis of turning movement on the brackets I2, the lever I3 carries pivotally mounted known weight and commodity receivers I4 and I5 respectively. These receivers include outrider platters I6 from 'which depend rigid stems I 7, the lower ends of the latter being pivoted, as at I8, to a check rod I9 which, in turn, is centrally pivoted, Yas at 20, on a centerbearing stem 20a which is rigidly connected with 'and depends from., the brackets I 2, the check rod being in vertical alignment with the supporting trunnions or pivots of the lever I3. The base is provided adjacentto .its ends with upstanding brackets indicated at' 2I and22. These brackets carry at their upper ends threadedly adjustable studs 23, which cooperate with lugs 24 on or adjacent tothey ends .of the lever I3 for controlling the extent of oscillation of said lever. Movement' of the lever from its normal position of balance until the sameengagesuwith one or the other of the studs 2'3`is`resi`sted by the employment of a bow spring illustratedatfila. This spring at its lowerj end is attached to the `bracket-"2| and ,at its upper end to one A4cf the ,lugs1,24 carriedbythelever I3. Inaddition yto thaspring 24a, furtheradjustment and control .overVv the swinging movement of the scale lever is .obtained` by providing ,saidlever with apairof ,rigiddepending rods, 27, thelatter being arranged Cin-opposite sides of the bracket I2,as indicated in.Eig. 1. The lowerends .of the rods-2lhave connected therewith the outer endsv of .a pair of .lightcoil springs28,v and the inner ends of these springs are.- attached4 to an upright post29 Acar- .ried by. a sliding block SDVarranged in a housing hSemounted on the base l I.

.The block.30 is pressed in one direction by a spring 32 and the action of this spring is regulat- VVed by-,a screw threaded rods33,the threaded portion of thelatter being received in a threaded ,bore formed in thehousingSI, the inner .end of ,the yrodengaging .oneend of the block V30. By Vturning the rod33, the block may be movedlongitudinally in the housing 3| against the resistance .ojfythe spring 32 or in. theopposite direction by responding to the expansive force of saidlast- .named spring. By this. construction. the deecftionz-of fthebeam or leverfrornits normal position and thel forces required to effect such-deflection may be readily .controlled o r regulated.

Joined with the respective, outrider plates I6 and the upstanding bracketszZI and 22 and electri'cally insulated therefrom are pairs .of light'bow springs 25 and 26 which serve as electrical .cur-

--rentzc'onductors for mechanisms carried by therespective end portions .of the lever 13,.-which mechanisms are hereinaftermore Vfully. described. krWhile we havedescribed in .considerable detail a weighing. mechanism which has .been found to be particularly effective for use in ourim- 2.proved'check-Weighing..1rnaclf1ine, it is desired to v reiteratethat such weighing mechanismis but one ofiseveral Whichmayr be employed .and there- )fore we do not desire to be understood as confining theinvention to Van even-.balance type .weighing Jmechanism, as it will belobvious to 'those skilled the art that various other standard types of weighing ymechanisms or motions maybe` em- .ployed.

Mounted-on the upper surface .of the outrider platterrof the commodity receiver I is Aan electric motor 34 which is furnished operatingV current :.byway ofthe bow springs 25, ,and which has 'associated therewith a speed-reducing gear hous- .ing 35 which' includes-a. driven shaft'3r6. This A`shaft iseq'uipped witha sprocket'el around .which passes an endless chain 38, the latter lead- Ving to a lcorresponding.sprocket: 39i provided on a cross' shaft 40. This shaft also carries'an elon- .gated beltwheel 4 I. around. which. is.` trained the 4 rear or discharge end of an endless conveyor belt 42. The upper run of this belt travels in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 1 and the forward endof the'belti2-is passed around an elongated belt wheelSlmwliichlI is carried by a cross shaft 44 journaled in a conveyor frame 45 in the same manner as the shaft 4D. The upper run of the belt 42 passes over a rigid guide plate 46, Whilel the under run of the belt is supported by guide rolls 41. The conveyor frame is formed in this instance withlaterally projecting studs 48 whichare positioned in sockets provided in the upper ends of a plurality of posts 49 which are carried by the corner regions of the outrider platters I6 of the commodity receiver I5.

` Supportedbythe housing l0 in advance of the commodity-receiving conveyor 42 is the frame 50 of a feeder conveyor 5I. This conveyor may be of ,any ,suitable .length and is @denied it@ 'be aligned and y `operated synchronously with the -CQHVGYOIW- .The PQHVeYOF "5| mcllldes-zafnd.- less 'belt 52 which at its 'ends' travels over Vdriving and guide, roils ;,1^Qiaiab1y supported ,ilri l? fratrier 50. O ne of therolls `53 is driven byachain 54 which passes around 4a sprocket H55., carr by the driven shaft of: a speed-reducing gearing `l 56, `whic l'1, in turn, is `driven an electricgrn Vstationarily mounted within thev housing I0. LAThe frame 5U. may be adjusted verticallytoa mit'efd extent vby a slot andgscre'w construction,"

ed at 5.8, whereby to align the advancing. run a'of the beit 52 with thatlojfthe helma jrig'e Chaise @iid @fthe feeder .iiveyfi'r iS `loca-ted. iiii.- mediately adjacent tothe receivingendofthe scale conveyorf4l2, so thatcommodities. indicated atf55, may readily bridge the space betwee M two conveyorsvand travel from one. to theo` er without stoppageor tippi g. vAs shown in Fig. .2 thereceivingendf the feden conveyor SI be disposed in registration with the' pu let chute 6,4 throughwliichlthecommodities. Y, successively for v,delivery to the feeder .co The chute may-be.offthegravitationaltyp otherwise.

Arranged in longitudinal alignment `withfqthe discharge end ofthe scaleforplatter conveyo is ,a ,wird.Stbseiiieiiyfwider;bei convey .This :Conveyor has;iiseiidsirairied aromi me. sindv guiding .WlislS- l 9 es Qi-Wliih W `logins .driven by a .Suitable Chain :and srr drive andan :$.1iriC-I10i0r62- The 601i [ill is mountedlin ka frame. 5 3 suitablysecur dto the-housing \!'0 The frein -63 .iiiludessna'e'd @standing sidewalls whili, ai th .dishrge @iid 0f ,iheeQiiYgrQr-fifaiespaed a. distan' ap,- .proxiiiiaielysqiiilf@the S fing'oiihe-.S e. 1S ofthe iframe@- Thesieefwails .eXi'erid-.everthe `upper um Ofihefceiiveyer il?. in iifi1all-e1v relatie for aisiiiiableffiistaiie and iiientdiveifse n an QutWardaIieuIar-dire Qiihasiiidi9siedfin terminating when; the Saiiieireghfihe i., ofthe onveyorfitwhich. sceiisiderabiy of that of the conveyor belts 42 and-52.

.Bosiiigiiedladiaqeriithefoiiter and. efV thesimyvev01 iiilffirid exieiidiiieeverthe upper-milf teteof are Vla pair of solenoid-actuated :commedia diverter eatesarid-l- The gafisSh-omprie Rerpendicularlyrelated, horizontalandyeiticalfarms. the horigontalarms eXtendina-over-the,ce p ypr -twhile the vertialarms are supportedgfory lmited `rotational movement `A and extend upwardly from a solenoid housing .6a carried by the housing Il) below lthe -`conveyor l. In this-manner, Tlimited rotational movement `p f--the vertiakarms .wiilresult in limitedhorizontal Slis/firmingmorement of the horizontal arms of the diverter gates over the upper run of the conveyor 80. When these gates are in parallel relationship, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the commodities, which have passed over the scale conveyor 42, and by the operation of the latter found to be of proper r desired weight, will travel with the belt 60 between said parallel gates along a course or path of travel A. When the gate 66, through the operation of the scale and associated mechanism to be hereinafter defined, assumes the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 2, the course A will be blocked thereby, and the articles will follow a diverted course indicated at B, which will separate the articles or commodities from those discharged through the course A. Similarly, when the gate 61 is moved to the dotted line position of Fig. 2, the articles of commodities will follow a diverted course C. By this arrangement, correct weight packages are discharged from the apparatus through course A, overweight packages through course B and underweight packages through course C. If desired, a single gate may be employed which will reject over and under weight packages or articles through a single path of discharge when it is not necessary to discriminate between such under and overweight packages or articles.

Carried upon the known weight-receiving side of the scale beam I3, substantially at the outer end thereof is an annular electro-magnetic field winding 89 which is furnished electrical operating current by way of the pair of bow springs 26 carried upon the post 22. Associated with the eld winding 69 and received axially thereof is the core of an electro-magnet 1I which is stationarily mounted upon the base II. Operating current is furnished the field winding of the electro-magnet 1I- by lead wires 12 which are connected with a suitable power source, to be hereinafter described. The movable coil or electromagnetic eld winding 89 which is carried by the scale beam I3, in association with the stationary electro-magnet 1 I, functions to replace the usual dash pot associated with scales of this character for the purpose of damping the normal oscillatory lever movement, whereby to prevent undue hunting of the lever or scale beam due to normal lever movement. The present electro-magnetic damping assembly functions to damp the normal oscillatory movement of the scale lever I3 through the relative polarity of the movable field coils 69 and possesses a positive polarity while the stationary electro-magnet 1i possesses a negative polarity, an attraction force will be set up between the coil and the electro-magnet in opposition to movement of the lever I3 in a general counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. Conversely, if the polarity of the coil Y69 and electro-magnet 1I is the same, repulsion forces are established which serve to dampen movement of the scale beam I3 in a general clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 1. As will hereinafter be described, the polarity of the movable field coil 69 which is carried upon the scale beam I3 is controlled by an electronic circuit responsive to the movement of the scale beam I3 itself.

Also carried toward the known weight end of the scale beam I3 by means of a laterally extending bracket 14, is a lever controlled condenser plate 15. The condenser plate is adjustable vertically with respect to its supporting bracket 14 by means of a screw-threaded stud 16 which extends through a cooperatively screw-threaded opening formed in the bracket 11i. Positioned in VI5 and 11.

signal is transmitted to a radio frequency ampli- Iier circuit to increase the strength of the oscillator signal from whence the signal is transmitted to a conventional FM detector 8l which con- -verts the oscillator signal current to direct current whose polarity and magnitude are controlled by the spacing between the condenser plates 15 and 11, and therefore by the weight upon the scale beam I3.

In this respect, it is important to note that the detector cincuit 8I is so arranged, that when -the scale lever or beam I3 is in balance, there is 0 voltage at the output of the detector circuit. The detector circuit 8| is further arranged so as to establish a positive output voltage when the scale indicates an underweight condition. and a negative output voltage upon indication by the scale of an overweight condition.

For purposes of explanation, the output voltage from the detector circuit 8I will hereinafter be referred to as discriminator voltage, due to its function of transmitting either positive or negative voltage in accordance with the spacing of the condenser plates 15 and 11, which spacing is controlled by the various positions of the scale beam I3.

The discriminator voltage transmitted by the detector circuit 8I is used to control the damping of the scale lever I3 by controlling the polarity of the eld coil 68 carried thereby. The electromagnetic damping assembly circuit consists of a beam power amplifier tube 82 which is directly controlled'by the discriminator voltage from the detector circuit 8 I, and whose output is condenser coupled, as at 83, to a parallel load consisting of the portable field coil 89 and a variable resistor 69a which function as an adjustable lever-damping control. The movable field coil 89 is so polarized that current through the movable coil 68 reacts with the magnetic field set up by the electro-magnet 1I so that the resulting force is in opposition to the scale lever movement. The eld winding of the electro-magnet 1I is furnished regulated energization current by a suitable power source to be hereinafter more fully described. The discriminator voltage output of the detector 8| also controls a pair of weight classification tubes 84 and 85, which, in turn, control the operating circuits of the solenoid-actuated diverter gates B6 and 81. Associated with each of the classification tubes 84 and 85 are resistor tolerance controls 86 and 81. The tolerance controls function to set up a bias voltage on the respective classification tubes, making it necessary for the diseriminator voltage from the detector 8| to overcome the bias voltage before the discriminator voltage output of the classification tubes is of great enough magnitude (either positive or negative) to anect energization of a pair of relays 88 and 89 which function to control the operating circuit of the respective diverter gates 68 and 81.

Thus, the sensitive relays 88 and 89 are controlled by the classification vacuum tubes 84 and 85 respectively. The control circuits of classification tubes 84 and 85 are so aranged that a voltage of positive polarity is supplied to the control grids of these tubes when the scale lever I3 is in From the oscillator circuit 19, thel l f thereof.

aree-,25s-

.'llndelfwght; position. This voltage, .the 501.115- .nu' Hdisc rimimater voltage.offthedetector 8, .l de- V., creasesto. O asthescale lever; I 3 movestobalance at. ,exact gweight, and i increases in a, negativefdivrecti'on.as thelever moves overweight. Theref ore .the relays.v 8.8.:- auditie are ,energized when the scalev leveris` in an underweightposition. The rpointsatwhich the Vrelays. 38 and 89 are deenergizedlisrcontrolled by 4 the lever position andthe resistor 4tolerance control adjustment.- the latter providing-.an adjustable bias voltage toclassiiication tubes.. 84. and. 35.

'I 'he .tolerance controls 86 and 81 associated `alvith.the classiiication tubes84 -and.85 respectively, provide a critical adjustment whereby the gconsequent operation of the diverter lgates may be controlled in accordance with the magnitudes-of esuclroverpr underweight determination. For fexamplef a commodity passing over thefscale vconveyor .is found to be overweight by.;.one half nce, andit is desiredlthat only commodities ,-whichareoverweight by one ounce be'rejectedor t diverted, the tolerance controlsmay loe-.adjusted t, to. establish a bias voltage sucient-tocause the i.lassificatgionftubes to continue conducting until the discriminator. voltage is of great enough magnitude-.toovercoine the fbias voltage andcause frelaysid-.and 89 to operate.

I n operation,- classication tubei controls the operating-.gpointer underweight tocorrect weight adivertergate ,67. -When vthe voltageoutput'of classicationtube 784 is of a sufficient magnitude .--,t o.-.aLl$eenergizatioirof the relay -.88, indicating underweight conditions at the scale, a s witch f...respe ctivelyprovided with pairs of switches A 92a .iandezlx ,andxSSmand 93h. ..Operation orthese .u lattenfrelayS. controls :the movement of the un- Vder weight'rejector gate tl, and prevents thel same from :continuously swinging every timega com- '-.modity passes vover lthe scale conveyor` @Land .:causessa.uctuationrof,the'scale lever i3. yAssociated-.iwiththe relays-92 .and'.931 is a photofelec- --ftric cellfoircuitf 911 -`Awhose 'function is. to permit rclassification ofv the .overor underweighthar- Yacteristiosof a l commodity passing over; the scale conveyor to: take place only at the proper-,instant Ywith-respect .to the position of gthefcommodityi in Vrelation tothe. scale '-.conveyorzfi?. Asparticularly -"shown"-infligs. l and. 2, the, tranSmitt-ngand receiving units 'off the photo-electric-.cell circuit-94, las'indicatedatr; are a'rranged in oppositionvto fone-another with the light beam of the vtransymitting `unit :extending transversely of lthe scale conveyor-"42substantially at the outermost end `In this manner,factuation of the..di A'-vertervgates 266 and''i, and theactual` movement @thereof to a desired position may be effected only `latithefinstant. ar commodity intercepts the light beam -of fthephoto-electric. cellv circuit, immedif-atel'y prior to` the passage of such commodity weightg-comInQd-itiespassing over the scalelcon'- veyor..42. .The counter. circuit vlill] .embodies la Wplurality ofsolenoids. I 0 I .whose energization ,conitrois aplurality of mechanical.. counting devices ,f I-02. The switchloof relay. controlstheen- ,-ergization .of-1relayi98.

The photo electric cell circuit .and relay 6 further,.-;electrically connected inserieS, by..me`ans of .switch v `91,1), v.with a pair of vseries'.connected pow-.er re1ays-|,l3 and IDA-.which areinterposed .withina circuit controlled -by the .operation .ofthe -.switchf-9l,associated With thefovervveight to .cor- -rect :weight classification tube 85`and relay VH`89. The -photof-electric cell circuit 94 functions in the same mannerwithrelaysl and l Ilias the same does with relays 92 and 93, in that the actual completi0n .0fthe output circuit through each of these .,relays ,is v accomplished at the time the photoelectric cell circuit is actuated to energize relay l,96. Thusactual movement within `the-diverter gates '66 and'vl isfaccomplished at f thetimea commodity interrupts the light beam of the photo-electric cell circuit, rather than atythetme; the commodity initially is introduced uponfthe scale conveyor 42.

,lswill vbe.seenloyliig 6 of the drawing,`.th diverter gates- 6 aride? are coupled at tha-lower end of ,their vertical arms vwith cross levels 1.05

laridgfill which are pivotedA at their central portions and-connected' at either end with the armarturesof; a.-pluralityA of solenoids ila, iilb, lc,

wand [Old whose energization is controlled in accordance;with .the'output voltage of the classication itllJQeSqMI and- 85, `and the-condition of the photofelectric cell circuit 9 al.

, Aythirdgiunction of the discriminator voltage *.Qutputeofithe@detector circuit 8l v is to operate .a

whichgservesessavisual weight indicator during .y the :passa-geiler. .commodities .over the; scale conveyeraAZ. .Thecircuit associated with the.A visu-a1 ','weight' indicatorrcomprises a twin tr-iode vacuum -tube -I 09;. which f provides.; a conventional balance .:bridge f ciitcnit. The-control grid onone section f ofethe triode `tube-gis; at iixed ground potentiaL-fas iatf-.Iil'athat `isrfzero volts, while the control.y grid `.0n the ;.0ther triode section is directly controlled ebyffa portion-of the-discriminator voltage .output Therefore,4 when.the .fscaledeverfla is in balance, andthevolta ge of sthegdetectorg liyiszero, the con-trol grid Voltageon 1hothsectionsxof-zthe triode'tube are equal andthe f .ode .i H0, thereby .unbalancing; the bridge circuit -and .causing..=current: torflow through ltheffvolt- Iupontheiclassiiicationconveyor160. `Actuated in i76meteretogzmdicatezthefeondition ofthe-commodity as to its overweightJ or underweight characteristics in accordance with the polarity and magnitude of the discriminator voltage.

As indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the power supply circuit for the entire assembly is the ordinary 110 volts A. C. 60 cycle type which furnishes current through suitable manually controlled switches I I I to the various electric motors associated with the conveyors 52, 42, and 60. The power supply circuit passes by way of one oi the switches III to a voltage regulating transformer II2 whose output passes to a conventional type full wave rectiiler II3. The power supply from the full wave rectiiier I I3 provides a supply of positive voltage to the plates of all vacuum tubes, and to the field coil of electro-magnet 1 I. Interposed Within the power supply circuit of the rectifier I|3 are a pair of voltage regulator tubes |I5 which serve to maintain a constant value of direct current voltage regardless of changes in loads and line voltage fluctuations. The voltage regulating transformer I|2 further provides for regulation of the alternating current line voltage.

Also connected with the power supply circuit is a second full wave rectifier II4. The power supply of the full wave rectiiier II4 provides a source of unregulated negative voltage for energizing the various power relays associated with the diverter gate classiiication circuits, and makes use of a voltage regulator tube I I6 to supply a regulated source of bias voltage to the overweight tolerance control 81 associated with the classification tube 85.

A third conventional type full `wave rectifier I I 1 provides an unregulated source of direct current voltage to operate the solenoids |0| associated with the counter mechanisms, and the solenoids I01a, I01b, |01c and I01d which actuate the diverter gates 66 and 61.

For purposes of explanation, and clarification of the operation of the present weight classication apparatus, the following is an operational description of the various cycles which the present apparatus, and its individual elements, undergo during the course of weighing commodities to determine their weight characteristics:

First, as an underweight package approaches the scale conveyor 42 by way of the conveyor 52, with the scale conveyor 42 empty, the scale lever I3 occupies an underweight position, thereby causing a positive output voltage through the detector circuit 8|; the discriminator voltage output of the detector 8| being positive, and of a relatively great magnitude, the classication tubes 84 and 85 will be maintained in a conducting condition whereby the relays 88 and 89 are energized to open the associated switches 90 and 9|. Due to the fact that the photo-electric cell beam is uninterrupted, the relay 96 remains deenergized, and the relays 98 and 99 associated with the counter mechanism also are deenergized. The condition of relays 92, 93, I 03, and |04 and the switches associated therewith is dependent upon the weight condition of the previous commodity which has passed over the scale conveyor 42, and the same may be either energized or deenergized depending upon the weight characteristics of the previous commodity. As the underweight commodity passes on to the scale conveyor 42, the scale lever I3 moves toward balance to a position corresponding to the underweight characteristics of the commodity, thereby increasing the spacing between the condenser plates and 11 and decreasing the positive discriminator voltage output of the detector 8| slightly, but maintaining the voltage output in a positive condition. In such a condition, classification tubes 84 and 85 will continue to conduct thereby holding sensitive relays 88 and 89 in an energized condition, As the commodity passes in line with the photoelectric cell unit 95, the -associated lightbeam is interrupted, and the photo-electric cell circuit functions to momentarily energize relay 96 which breaks the lock-in circuits to relays 92, 93, |03 and |04, to deenergize such relays if the passage of the previous commodity has left 'the same in an energized condition. t

Energization of relay 96 also causes the energization of relay 98, due to closure of switch 91e, which remains energized during the time the switch 91e is closed. A slight time delay is .introduced within the counter circuit by means of a condenser 98h which allows the classification circuit to stabilize before counting takes place. Upon opening of switch 91e, the condenser 98D causes relay 98 to remain energized while the condenser is charging. As relay 98 deenergizes, relay 99 energizes momentarily, due toclosure of switch 98a and discharging of condenser` 98h, and the counter circuit is completed to indicate passage of one underweight commodity. Due to the deenergized conditions of relays 92, 93, |03, and |04, no circuits are closed by the switches 92a, 92h, 1036i, and |031) associated with relays 92 and |03, while the switches 93a, 93h, I04a, and |0427 associated with relays 93 and |04 close the circuit to the underweight counter device and provides a ground return circuit for the solenoids |0117 and I01d which respectively hold the overweight diverter gate 66 in its full line positionas indicated in Fig. 2, and causes the underweight diverter gate 81 to assume its broken line position thereby causing the commodity to pass along the underweight course C on the conveyor 60.

The weighing cycle of a correct weight commodity is as follows: With the commodity appreaching the scale conveyor 42, the scale .lever I3 occupies an underweight position, Athereby causing a positive discriminator voltage output of the detector 8| which, in turn,v causes classification tubes 84 and 85 to conduct and hold relays 88 and 89 in an energized position. Relays 98, 96, and 99 remain deenergized. Relays 92, 93, |03, and |04 arein a deenergized position in accordance with the passage of the previous underweight commodity. As the correct weight commodity reaches, and is deposited upon the scale conveyor 42, the scale lever I3 moves to a position corresponding to the weight of the package,

' which is in balance due to the correct weight of the commodity, thereby causing the discriminator voltage output of the detector circuit 8| to cause classification tube 84 to cut off thereby deenergizing relay 88, while classication tube 85 remains in a conducting condition, due to the regulated input voltage through tolerance control 91 to the bias grid of the tube. Relay 88 is deenergized, while relay 89 remains in an energized condition. As the commodity interrupts the light beam of the photo-electric circuit, relay 96 is energized momentarily breaking the lock-in circuits to relays 92, 93, |03, and I04, but providing ground return circuits for relays 92 and 93 through the switch 90 of relay 88, thereby shifting the control of relays 92 and 93 to the classication relay 88 during the time relay 96 is energized. Relays 92 and 93 are energized through the completion or closure of the circuit of the switch 90 and the closure of the switch 91a. Since thelockin circuits of relays 92 and 93 are completed,

lil througlitheclosureof 'the switches 9 'la'andswit'ch l2bifofy relay 92', ain-additional 4lock-in circuit is provided 'throughtheswitch 92e and 9i! Ktoprovide laflock''in circuit-continuityvduring the time thearmature lofl relay 96 is-movingfrom the energized' to deenergiz'ed4 position.

Relays' 98 and'k 99 function in the same manner as for an undervveight commodity,` in vthat the samei'momentarily energize-to energize thed solenoidsHassociated"with-ther counter devices m2. The' switch' 93d 'associated with relayy 93,' and the switch Ila associated EWith' relay Ithaving moved to' aposition'to supply: current to the solenoidassociatedwiththe correct Weight counter device; thereby'f permitting* energization thereof uponfenergization ofl'relays 98 and eti-and therecordingof ither passage ofy a' correct Weight com-- mod-ity;-r The *switches 93b'and`ibb: provi-de a groundreturn'-circuitto solenoidsl mit and lille,l thereby energizing the VsameV toI move 'the diverter gates "and-*|-I`fto `a center" position parallelism Wherebythe correct weightcommodity may' pass through* the" cen-ter of" the conveyor 60' .along coursefAl yThefbllowingisthe Weighing' cycleA of anover'- Weight commodity; As the 'commodity passes over conveyor 5l.l and approaches ther 'conveyor l|2"of"the scale, th`e`scale'leverI |32 occupies an underwei'ght"position"with'the volta-ge' output of detector circuit "8 f being` positive to `cause condcion within' theclassication 'tubes' 81|* and '85( The relays' and89, ,diie`V tothe conducting con dition' of the' 'cl'assication tubes 31V and '85j will befenergizedj and-"relaysSSj 93; and' 9&3* will Abe de'energized'.l Relays" 92"and"93'are energized, Whilerelaysf'l' and I|J`t"'are"deen'ergized, due to the'passageof thepreviousfcorrect Weight cornmcdty'over' the' scale: y

As the-com'n'iodi`ty^isYV deposited"'upon'V the scale conveyordZ; thee-scale beam* or lever' |3 moves toa position'4 corresponding to;` the overweight characteristics of the Vcommoditywhereupon the dis'criminator` voltage of tl'ie '"detctor 8i is of a negative'magnitudey andthe' cla'ssin'cationY tubes tand 85"are cutoi- Atof denergizerelays `Sil-"andl 8'9J AA's "the "commodity moves :across'theconveyor 422 the same 'interrupts-'the "light: beam of 1 the photol-electric cell-circuitY whereupon relay S6 is energized* momentarily'A breaking the lock-'in circuits to're'lays'92; 93"," |03 Iand' 64, butatV the same time providing Lground return' circuitsffor therelays'throughlthe` 'switches Qarid' 9 assos ciatedi with the relays' 88? and :89 respectively; thereby'shifting"controlof relaysiil,t 93; |83 and the time 're1ay96 remains l`energized'.j Relays 32 and 93 are retained th'ein'energize'd -position during `the energization of relayejbytheclosure of fswitch; and thelclosedcondition of'. switch 97d.

Relays |03"andl|4 'are energized. through the clsureof switch 9| andthe closure of 'the switch S'IlassociatedLwitl'i relay,l 9G.' Since the lock-in circuits. of' relay..l |83" and` i94- are completed through .the -deenergiz'edf position lof Vswitch .9119', andtheclosed condition-of switch ihanadditionaLllock-.in icircuitisprovided .through` the switch@ .andthe .closed t switch. |i3d .to provide lock=imcircuitcontinuity' duringA the. time the i armature of relay,.96fis..moving from. the enern gized .to-deenergized"position,. Relays 93 andBS function-inthe same=manner as ufor an undervveight. .oncorrect v.weight commodity .to momen# tari1y...energize the counter device solenoids-.It The switches 93a and Ilia move to a position to supplycurrent to the solenoidiofthe `overweight counter device |52. Thei'sWitchesBSb and Iib provide a ground return circuit to solenoids' |0711 and Illia to" hold' the underweightdivertergate 57| ina'straight position andto actuate the di# verter gate BB'to its dotted line position in Fig. l2, whereby the voverweightcommodity will pass over the course B:

As shown' throughout thedrawings, the indi# vidual circuits may advantageously beI provided with arc-quench circuits' which comprise ay con# denser and'choke coil arrangement. Such arc# quench 'circuits eliminate arcl gapingatthe' varie ous contact points throughoutthe circuits.

Invew'ofthe foregoing, it'will be seenthat theVY present invention provides an improved Weight checking and "classifying machine which is characterized by its high speed operations' and its accuracy incheckweighing. Such high speed operation is made possible through the use of the endless belt type' conveyor and integrally carried electricV motor which are supported solely upon the Weight-receiving Side' of the'associatedscale mechanism. Through the use'of a beltetype conveyorof this nature,'which formsan integral part of a continuous conveyor line, the scale conveyor may nbe'operated in synchronization with the remainingjbelt conveyorsarranged on eitherside of thesca'le conveyor, and, in. so doing, enables commodities to pass in""a`fast`anduninterrupted flow across the scale conveyor tobe accurately check weighed"during'movement along the 'conveyor line.

Another important feature of the `present inf vention 'resides in the` use of the photo-electric cell circuit fordelaying the operation of .thecome modity' diverting;` gates `until la. commodity ap# proachbs substantiallyN the discharge end 'of` the scale-carried conveyor. Through'theuse of .the photoelectric'cell circuit,l and the associated lockin relays,` the divertergatesare prevented from constantly swingingbetvveen their diverter Jposi# tions asflu'ctuations of "the scale lever'take'place uponithe initial introduction ofi a commodity thereon. As will/be understood;Y such diverter gates wouldnormally return to a positionpro"V viding an' underweight course Way upon' each weighing cycle were it'not for the use of theassociated-lock-"in circuits.r The elimination of such constant i swinging movement greatlyv increases the operationallife of the present machine, and reduces the noise accompanying the constant swingin'gzmovement.

While certain speciiic elements ofthe present invention have been described in detail, for purposes of explanation, it will be manifest that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit'of the invention or the scope of the followingy claims.

We claim:

1. Commodity check-Weighing. andA Weightclassifying.apparatus'comprising a Weighingl scale having a movable balance member, a commodityreceiving continuous belt ,conveyor carried solely by.. said scale andfforming a part of 1a conveyor line over which commodtiies to be rweighed vmove without interruption, motor means carried by said scalefor. driving` said belt conveyor, a second in-Y dependently. mountedl power-driven conveyor arranged to receive commodities from said. beltoonveyor, commoditye'diverting.means extending over said second conveyor,. said commodity-diverting means being movable. betweenv positions providi'ng/` a: .plurality of. lseparate courseways over and'leadi'ng from said second conveyor, electroresponsive means for moving said diverting means between such positions, means responsive to the movement of the balance member oi said scale and arranged in circuit with said electroresponsive means for determining the operation thereof in accordance with the weight of a commodity passing over said belt conveyor, and photo-electric cell means positioned adjacent said belt conveyor and arranged in circuit with said electro-responsive means for controlling the actuation thereof in response to the passage of a commodity over said belt conveyor.

2. In a commodity check-weighing and classifying apparatus, a weighing scale having a movable balance lever, a commodity-receiving belt type conveyor supported by the balance lever of said scale and forming an intermediate portion of a conveyor line over which commodities to be weighed move without interruption, an electric motor carried by the lever of said scale in association with said conveyor for driving the latter, a second conveyor arranged in longitudinal alignment with said first-named conveyor to receive commodities discharged therefrom, commodity-diverting means extending over said second conveyor and operable to denne a plurality of separate courseways over which commodities possessing different weight characteristics may pass to be segregated, electro-responsive means to operate said diverting means, a control circuit for said electro-responsive means, said control circuit comprising a vacuum tube oscillator circuit responsive tc the movement of the balance lever of said scale and operable to determine the energization of said electro-responsive means, and a photo-electric cell circuit in series with said oscillator circuit and operable in response to the passage of a commodity over said inst-named. conveyor to determine the point of operation of said electro-responsive means.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a Weighing scale having a balance lever, a receiver for known weights on one end of the balance lever, a commodity-receiving conveyor supported by the opposite end of the lever, motor means supported by the opposite end of the lever for driving said conveyor, said commodity-receiving conveyor being interposed within and forming a part of a conveyor line over which commodities may continuously pass to be weighed without interruption, commodity-segregating means interposed Within the conveyor line toward the discharge end of said scale-carried conveyor for separating articles of undesired Weight from articles of desired weight, electro-responsive means for controlling the operation of said segregating means, electrical means responsive to the movement of the scale lever for determining the operation of said electro-responsive means, and a photo-electric cell circuit in series with said electrical means for delaying the operation of said electro-responsive means until a commodity passing over said scale supported conveyor reaches substantially the discharge end thereof, thereby establishing a time delay sufcient to permit the scale lever to come to rest prior to the operation of said commodity-segregating means.

4. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 3, wherein said electrical means comprises an oscillator circuit with a condenser therein operated by the movement of the scale lever to vary the oscillating frequency of said circuit, a detector circuit associated with said oscillator circuit for supplying discrminator voltage in accordance with the position of the scale lever, and a 14 relay circuit controlled by the discriminator voltage output of said detector circuit and connected in series with said electro-responsive means.

5. In check-weighing apparatus, a weighing scale having a balance lever, a receiver for known Weights on one end of the balance lever, a continuous belt-type conveyor carried solely by the opposite end of the balance lever, an electric motor carried by said opposite end of the balance lever for driving said conveyor, said conveyor being interposed within and forming an integral part of an extended conveyor line over which commodities may continuously pass to be weighed without interruption, movable commodity-segregating means interposed within the conveyor line toward the discharge end of said conveyor and operable to separate commodities of undesired weight from commodities of desired weight, electro-responsive means to operate said commoditysegregating means, electrical means in circuit with said electro-responsive means and responsive to the movement of the balance lever of said scale to control the operation of said electro-responsive means, a photo-electric cell circuit in series with said electrical means and having a lightresponsive member arranged adjacent the discharge end of said conveyor, said photo-electric cell circuit being operable to render said electroresponsive means inoperable prior to the passage of a commodity over substantially the discharge end of said conveyor, and a lock-in relay circuit in circuit with said electrical means and said electro-responsive means to render said electroresponsive means inoperative prior to the introduction of a commodity upon said conveyor.

6. In check-weighing and commodity-segregating apparatus, a weighing scale having a movable balance lever, a continuous belt-type conveyor supported by one end of the balance lever, said conveyor forming a part of an extended conveyor line over which commodities being weighed move without interruption, motor means supported solely by the balance lever and drivingly connected with said conveyor, means in the conveyor line at the discharge side of said belt-type conveyor for segregating commodities of undesired weight from commodities of desired weight, electro-magnetic means to operate said lastnamed means, electrical means operated by the movement of the balance lever of said scale for determining the cperability of said electro-magnetic means, and a photo-electric cell circuit in series with said electrical means to control said electro-magnetic means, said photo-electric cell circuit having a light sensitive member disposed adjacent the discharge side of said belt conveyor and operable in response to the passage of a commodity over the discharge side of the conveyor to close said photo-electric cell circuit.

WARREN J. SCHIESER. JOI-IN F. KELLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

